The superlative Linn Audio, based in Scotland, has been involved in the audio business since the 1970s. Its latest range of high-quality equipment brings it to the forefront of the digital revolution, streaming and organising Linn and third-party sources for distribution through its range of precision amplifiers and speakers.

For other audio information, please refer to our main Audio page. More links are available in the ‘Related Links’ box to the right.

Linn's approach to sales is not so much an off-the-shelf, price-dominated affair, but an endeavour to match the purchaser with a system which is best for them. Really, it is more about experience than technical statistics, but audiophiles who know their stuff will find the facts stack up in favour of Linn. The favoured approach is to get customers to savour a system or two before buying, so that they can decide for themselves what is best for them.

Linn, notwithstanding its technical prowess, has always positioned itself as a person-oriented company in the market, and this is confirmed in the level of support which prevails. As an authorised dealer, OWS does also undertake repairs of Linn equipment.

Systems

Linn have certain identifiable ranges, as well as software and accessories on offer. The specifications described below for each range may be altered to suit your needs. These details can, therefore, be treated as a preliminary guide to Linn products, but they represent a subset of the global Linn product range.

The compact Kiko system is ideal for those who want a big sound, but without wanting to compromise too much physical space for the privilege. Like all modern Linn systems, it facilitates streaming of music from local digital sources or the Internet. Slightly larger in scale, but still described by Linn as “small” is the Majik system, centred around a digital streaming device with in-built amplifier. Next up is ‘Akurate’. This features a separate power amplifier, creating a responsive, versatile and full sound. Top of the range is the appropriately named ‘Klimax’ system, with its central digital streaming server engineered from a single block of aluminium and Linn's best speakers, with inbuilt sound amplification.

Whilst performance will always be at the heart of Linn products, the company's designers are also very conscious of aesthetic aspects. Both in terms of materials and the sleek lines of the design, Linn has the best holistic quality in mind for the end result.

The Kiko system is available in a range of colours and subtle shades. The digital streaming player unit has integrated 33-watt power amplifier and pre-amplifier (note that the wattage is expressed as RMS, meaning an expression of average power, as opposed to maximum power). It is compatible with UPnP (“Universal Plug‘n’Play), a increasingly widespread networking standard found on media servers, computers etc. This is supported across the Linn digital streaming ranges. Kiko reproduces high resolution audio(24-bit audio, 192kHz). Apple Airplay and Linn's own Songcast software can be used to send audio from other devices.

Like other Linn “systems”, the Majik comprises a set of components (a digital streaming player, ‘Majik DSM’ with fully integrated amp and twin Majik 109 speakers) which are designed to work together, and meet a certain type of requirement. However, this is not to say that components of the system will not work with other Linn products, perhaps parts of an existing system. The same applies to third-party devices, such as Blu-ray or DVD players, or devices such as an iPhone to conveniently use as a control.

The Majik DSM comprises integrated power amplifer and pre-amplifier. It can stream all your digital sources, from ripped CDs, to Internet radio, podcasts ... whatever it may be. With HDMI “pass-thru”, video content can be passed through to a TV whilst the sound goes through your system. Two channels of 90W amplification can be passed through to the 109 “bookshelf” speakers, equipped with a “bass reflex port”, which is what gives these compact speakers their deep bass without recourse to larger cabinets. The speakers are available in a range of finishes.

Performance can be enhanced by Linn Aktiv crossover cards, small circuit boards mounted inside Linn power amplifiers. Each card is designed to handle a specific signal type and maximise the performance of the loudspeaker system.

The Linn Akurate range includes a separate power amplifier (for example, Akurate 2200, not illustrated) in addition to the Akurate DSM player and Akurate 242 speakers. Somewhat greater in terms of physical dimensions than the more compact ranges, the Akurate system also incorporates that bit extra precision engineering, giving it superb range and fidelity.

The ranges described on this page are standard configurations, but other components may be available. In this case, for example, Akurate power amplifiers also come in 3-channel and 4-channel versions. The 5-way bass reflex floor-standing loudspeakers come in a variety of finishes.

As mentioned above, in the context of the Majik system, Linn offers the possibility to upgrade amplifiers to include their ‘Aktiv’ crossover modules. The crossover filter divides the sound into frequency bands which can be fed specifically to those drive units in the speakers which are designed to deal with that specific range. Active crossovers operate more efficiently by performing this task before the power amplifier stage. The end result is a more accurate response correction for the speakers, and enhancement to your listening pleasure.

The Klimax DSM is Linn’s flagship digital music player. It has an integrated pre-amplifier. Its superior quality Linn puts down to the DAC (digital-to-analogue conversion) technology incorporated and custom up-sampling of the audio.

The DSM combined with a power amplifer, such as Linn’s highest performer, Klimax 500 Solo, each unit of which is devoted to a single channel, with output power of 500W into 4 ohms.

The system comprises the player combined with Klimax 350A speakers. The speakers, available in a range of finishes, incorporate fully integrated Aktiv system and Linn’s ‘Chakra’ amplification technology. Chakra is (in the words of Linn’s whitepaper on the subject): ‘The Linn CHAKRA technology eliminates the weaknesses and maximises the strengths of monolithic linear amplifier technology. It combines the speed and precision of a high integration chip technology with the ruggedness and smoothness of discrete ultra-linear bipolar transistors and delivers precisely controlled Linn Silent Power at all listening levels’.

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